Training your puppy or dog can feel overwhelming when you get started. I like to keep it simple and train the least to get the most. I also like to hone in on what a behavior is, meaning what it is at its essence so I can teach it as quickly as possible. Let's take a look at what that might mean.
Do I need to train the cue wait or stay if I could teach my pup to hold one position on cue really, really well (e.g., a settle - a stand or sit or down, until I say OK? What's the point of giving it a cue at all if I only have the dog hold that position for a few seconds, really?) Now, I would need to add context, like practicing at doors, at meals, when leashing up or bathing, and with me staying nearby or moving away, but I could skip installing an extra cue.
Do I need to teach polite greetings if that same position behavior is expanded to include distractions, like people entering the house and talking or petting?
And what about place (or bed or crate, whatever you call it?) Isn't this cue just asking for that position behavior again, but in a specific spot?
Do I need to add a cue like leave it or off if I already trained my dog to look at me when she hears a recall word or even just her name or a kissy noise or whistle?
Do I need to bother teaching a specific skill related to her name if a kissy or whistle works?
What about on counters or tables? Do I need a leave it if I can use the kissy or whistle and follow up with requesting that position behavior mentioned earlier, on a comfy bed, perhaps?
Many people confuse drop (give, out) with leave it - drop is open your mouth and spit out what's in there, while leave it is stop paying attention to that thing and look at me.
Many people forget to redirect the dog after they stop doing something, so the dog returns to whatever it was. Always redirect.
I definitely don't consider leave it / off for jumping on people or counters or sofas - how do you train that without chaining an unwanted behavior first, in any case? I just use the attention word and redirect to the position behavior.
What is leash walking? It's stay near me no matter whether I am moving or standing, right? So instead of just going outside and walking, start with reinforcing your dog for being near you without moving, then add duration, distance, and distraction.
So, what are the essentials for me?
recall word - I don't like to use the dog's name for this because most of us dilute the value of the name
optional attention-getter word if the dog doesn't attend to whistling or kissy sounds
cue to request holding a relaxed version of a position until released (sit or stand, perhaps down) that is practiced to fluency (on beds, at doors, with visitors, near counters with food on them, at the groomer or vet...) for specific functions, basically giving you a wait, a polite greeting, a settle, etc,
let go of stuff in your mouth
polite leash walking with a verbal cue for times I need to get moving
optional heel for those who need it
Skills I tend to work on without official cues
rewarding dogs for entertaining themselves independently with their own toys
context clues for dogs to help them understand when I am not available
housetraining, though you can add a cue
appropriate use of the mouth (on toys and chews, not on me or my stuff)
automatic noticing and reporting of interesting things in the environment
Stuff I never teach:
give paw (most dogs aren't fluent and just start smacking people for attention)
tricks like bow, high five, etc... (unless a client requests it or just for mental enrichment)
waiting for meals for more than a few moments (it's a parlor trick instead of polite behavior, at that point, and I bet it annoys dogs)
Bonus work:
cooperative care skills like a cue to warn a dog I am picking up
building the position cue into something that includes vet or grooming work (if your position behavior is not a stand, you may want to add a chin rest for this one)
You can have a dog who is easy to live with if you really narrow down what you need and spend your available training time in a focused way. Not sure how to start? Message me for help.
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